Sunday, April 22, 2012

I like cover songs. Sometimes I like the covered version better than the original. Like Casey James singing John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" on American Idol:

Just him and his guitar, and it was such an honest version. Such vulnerability open for the world to see is rare. Lennon struck that note as well, but I got the feeling that Casey was about to break down, whereas Lennon almost seems proud of his jealousy.

I also love Mika's totally fun, live version of the Eurythmic's "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)":

If you're surprised that I'm a huge Mika fan, you do not know me very well.

And despite being an even bigger MJ fan, I love the spunkiness of Alien Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal":

Lately, I've been working on a private project, just for myself, in which I tie the roots of early blues to later rock and roll, making connections that are not always openly acknowledged. Everyone from Led Zeppelin to Nirvana to punk bands to country singers have covered stuff by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Johnson, and, most notably, Lead Belly. CCR's "Midnight Special" is a direct lift:

One of the few times I like the cover more than the original Lead Belly.

If you've got favorite cover songs, leave a link.

On an unrelated note, B says the last song he would choose to hear before dying is Prince's "Purple Rain." Dude. That is so epic. I don't think I can choose one for myself that is more righteous. And I been thinking about this for a week.

So, if you know what song you'd like to hear last before kicking it, let me know.

PS I know it's "I've been thinking..." but sometimes I write like I talk, which is pretty much loaded with slang, like I'm a kid from the projects instead of a middle class white girl from Connecticut.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

It's been a while since I checked out The Fox is Black, except for following the occasional link via his Twitter account. First, I was bowled over by the redesign, and then I lost an hour, going through every post I've missed. Loves:

Alice Donadoni really hit the nail on the head with an untraditional and unexpected entry that has old fashioned textbook appeal.

In particular, this cover of Arcade Fire's "Suburbs" by Mr. Little Jeans has been on repeat since I listened to it half an hour ago. Somewhat urgent despite the dreamy, gorgeous lyrical style, I just love it.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Lily's Friday Prediction will be closing its doors. As a writing exercise and community-builder, it's fostered the dreams of many for over two years. Lily has been a gracious and kind host, and it will be missed. If you want to get in on the last few Predictions and be a part of it, I suggest you check it out now.

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As you probably have already heard -- aren't I always last to the party? -- Richard Godwin's new novel, Mr. Glamour, is now out:

The killer knows all about design, he knows what brands mean to his victims. He is branding their skins. And he has the police stumped.
As Flare and Steele investigate the killings, they enter an exclusive world with its own rules and quickly realise the man they are looking for is playing a game with them, a game they cannot interpret. The killer is targeting an exclusive group of people he seems to know a lot about.

The police investigation isn’t helped by the fact that Flare and Steele have troubled lives. Harlan White, a pimp who got on the wrong side of Flare, is planning to have him killed. And Steele has secrets. She leads a double life. She is an interesting woman who pushes her sexual boundaries in private. She travels a journey into her own past and rescues herself. And in a strange way she is helped by the killer she is looking for. And Flare has some revelations in store.

As they try to catch a predator who has climbed inside their heads, they find themselves up
against a wall of secrecy. The investigation drives Flare and Steele to acts of darkness. And the killer is watching everyone.

Contrasting this lifestyle is the suburban existence of Gertrude Miller, who acts out strange rituals, trapped in a sterile marriage to husband Ben. She cleans compulsively and seems to be hiding something from him, obsessed that she is being followed. As she slips into a psychosis, characters from the glamorous set stray into Gertrude’s world. And when Flare and Steele make an arrest, they discover there is far more to this glamorous world than they realised.

It is already picking up some great reviews.
Advance praise for Mr. Glamour:

“Richard Godwin knows how his characters dress, what they drink and what they drive. He knows how they live--- and how they die. Here's hoping no one recognized themselves in Godwin's cold canvas. Combines the fun of a good story with the joy of witty, vivid writing.”
Heywood Gould, author of The Serial Killer's Daughter.

“Smart, scary, suspenseful enough for me to keep the light on until 3AM on a Sunday night, Richard Godwin once more proves to fans of crime fiction the world over with Mr. Glamour, that he is not only one of the best contemporary writers of the procedural cop thriller around today, he is a master storyteller.”
Vincent Zandri, author of Scream Catcher.